User acceptability of saliva and gargle samples for identifying COVID-19 positive high-risk workers and household contacts.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic nasopharyngeal or nose and/or throat swabs (NTS) have been the primary approach for collecting patient samples for the subsequent detection of viral RNA. However, this procedure, if undertaken correctly, can be unpleasant and therefore deters individuals from providing high quality samples. To overcome these limitations other modes of sample collection have been explored. In a cohort of frontline health care workers we have compared saliva and gargle samples to gold-standard NTS. 93% of individuals preferred providing saliva or gargle samples, with little sex-dependent variation. Viral titers collected in samples were analyzed using standard methods and showed that gargle and saliva were similarly comparable for identifying COVID-19 positive individuals compared to NTS (92% sensitivity; 98% specificity). We suggest that gargle and saliva collection are viable alternatives to NTS swabs and may encourage testing to provide better disease diagnosis and population surveillance.

Frequency, severity, and morbidity of hypoglycemia occurring in the workplace in people with insulin-treated diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycemia was examined in regularly employed people with insulin-treated diabetes to ascertain the frequency and consequences of this problem in the workplace. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective 12-month survey of 243 employed people (age range 20-69 years) with insulin-treated diabetes was performed to record the frequency, severity, and morbidity of hypoglycemia occurring at work. Details of hypoglycemic episodes included time of day, place, activity, causation, blood glucose, treatment, and morbidity. Serial HbA(1c) measurements were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,955 mild (self-treated) episodes of hypoglycemia (8 per person per annum) and 238 severe (requiring external help) episodes (0.98 per person per annum) were recorded. Of the severe hypoglycemic episodes, 148 (62%) occurred at home, 35 (15%) occurred at work in 27 (11%) people (0.14 episodes per person per annum), and 54 (23%) occurred elsewhere; 52% of severe episodes occurred during sleep. Of the severe hypoglycemic episodes reported, adverse events were described in 54 (23%), with 29 losing consciousness (14%), 21 having a seizure (9%), 4 (2%) sustaining a head injury, 5 (2%) suffering another injury, 3 (1%) injuring someone else, and 2 (1%) damaging property. Severe hypoglycemia in the workplace was associated with six episodes of minor soft-tissue injuries. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, severe hypoglycemia in the workplace was uncommon and seldom caused disruption or serious morbidity. On the basis of the frequency and severity of hypoglycemia observed in the present study, restriction of employment opportunities for most people with insulin-treated diabetes may be difficult to justify.